Seven Best Dive Watches

[CHIP]

I was browsing the web earlier when I stumbled across a "gear" website that had a handful of watch articles on it.

One of them was titled "7 Best Dive Watches" and I obviously, had to read it.

Do you agree with the list? What would you add?

I for one do not agree with it and I wish they would explain why those were chosen.

7 Best Dive Watches

[daveathall]

Both the Sea Dweller, (the old one) and BP 50 Fathoms would be on my list.

[rw16610]

Apr 9, 2014 14:01:38 GMT -6 daveathall said:

Both the Sea Dweller, (the old one) and BP 50 Fathoms would be on my list.

Strange, isn't it? Also, all of them are in a more sensible range than the DSSD. I feel as if most divers out there won't want to spend $12,000.00+ on a watch to beat up although some will. 


This one is my number 1:



Ceramic bezel, Chronograph with pushers that can be used under water or at any instant without being unscrewed , sapphire display caseback to show off the lovely Omega 9300,  and a touch of elegance. My next two big purchases in the long run will be a 116710 LN GMT and that Planet Ocean Chrono. None of the other Omega dive watches appeal to me anymore because of it. If I still had my two Omega's they would be sold in a heartbeat to fund this.

[iceman]

Strange list indeed, no Sub, no deep sea, no ploprof, no IWC Aquatimer the list could go on


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[aquajoe]

Apr 9, 2014 15:28:44 GMT -6 iceman said:

Strange list indeed, no Sub, no deep sea, no ploprof, no IWC Aquatimer the list could go on


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Exactly

[ulackfocus]

What you have to ask yourself before reading these "XX BEST" articles is if the author has a personal or financial bias. In most cases, the answer is yes to one or both conditions. (trust me, I know first hand  )

Of that list, I would only consider the Oris to be (debatably) worthy in the exact form shown. The regular PO, not the chronograph, might be a serious contender too. Other than that, you guys have named better watches than what the writer has chosen.

[carl]

Difficult to determine what is their criteria for "Best"   If price was no object, I guess I would choose the PO. Oris reportedly makes a very capable diver watch, but I was not that impressed with their build quality when I saw them in real life. I have heard varying reports about that spring-loaded adjustable diver clasp on the Tudor as well.

I guess if someone asked me the question, in my limited knowledge of diver watches, I would say the Rolex DSSD. That's not even on the list.

Cheers,
Carl

[ianmedium]

Where is a Frogman or this beauty!

www.seiyajapan.com/collections/divers-collections/products/s-sbdx011

[carl]

Apr 9, 2014 14:06:45 GMT -6 rw16610 said:

Apr 9, 2014 14:01:38 GMT -6 daveathall said:

Both the Sea Dweller, (the old one) and BP 50 Fathoms would be on my list.

Strange, isn't it? Also, all of them are in a more sensible range than the DSSD. I feel as if most divers out there won't want to spend $12,000.00+ on a watch to beat up although some will. 


This one is my number 1:



Ceramic bezel, Chronograph with pushers that can be used under water or at any instant without being unscrewed , sapphire display caseback to show off the lovely Omega 9300,  and a touch of elegance. My next two big purchases in the long run will be a 116710 LN GMT and that Planet Ocean Chrono. None of the other Omega dive watches appeal to me anymore because of it. If I still had my two Omega's they would be sold in a heartbeat to fund this.

I pretty much go along with your choice, Rommel. Having tried on the watch, I can say it is huge. But in a good way. I just think that a watch like this should be big and heavy. It's a pity the photos of these POs, both chrono and non-chrono that are on the Omega website make the bezel look so washed out. In fact, it is not. It is a beautiful dark grey, and constrasts with the white gold hands and markers beautifully, really stunning in real life.

[rw16610]

I guess the bottom line here is simply different strokes for different folks. It's what makes this world unique and individual needs in the water alone could change the list drastically. Although I disagree with a few in the article it seems as if he wanted to include something on ever level is all but could have done a better job I think.

There truly is no such thing as the best divers watch as it all depends on what's being done. Most people out there are only recreational divers and those dives are typically limited to depths of 30 or 40 Meters. For someone out snorkeling or recreational diving there's a wide range of watches for the job. The Chronograph feature can be very handy along with the rotating bezel for various water adventures. Bearing in mind that modern day divers will generally rely on a quality dive computer to do the bulk of the work.

Professional divers also has a wide range of needs / responsibilities. Those folks who weld under water aren't even supposed to wear a watch from what I was told. It could be a scientist doing shallow dives with the animals or someone working on an oil rig. Depending on the depth and amount of time spend down there not all of them will need a Helium escape valve for use in decompression. The diver from another forum who told me a lot of this info said he used to unscrew the crown of his Submariner in the decompression chamber to release the gases.

For saturation dives similar to the story line in James Cameron's movie The Abyss, it's never a bad idea to have something with a pressure actuated helium escape valve I feel. It's just one less thing to worry about when you get up to the chamber.

Dive equipment is VERY expensive for the good stuff and in general and unless someone's a true WIS they won't want to spend the amounts some of the top companies charge for a watch to use in the water. Some dive shops sell cheap 100 Meter water resistant watches as basic time keepers in the water. Although these top watches are VERY popular, most of the people who like and own them hardly ever go in the water if at all.

From my experience with swimming I always time myself in the water and limit the amount of time spend in there for safety reasons. I feel the Planet Ocean Chronograph is ideal for me because the Chronograph could time either how long I've been outside and the bezel for time spent snorkeling or diving at a glance. For each person it will of course be different but the simple designs like the Submariner certainly do a fine job in all areas. Someone may be going to Hawaii for example to a wedding but will want to go diving and not travel with more than 1 watch. No watch does that better than the Submariner!

Apr 9, 2014 21:46:43 GMT -6 carl said:

I pretty much go along with your choice, Rommel. Having tried on the watch, I can say it is huge. But in a good way. I just think that a watch like this should be big and heavy. It's a pity the photos of these POs, both chrono and non-chrono that are on the Omega website make the bezel look so washed out. In fact, it is not. It is a beautiful dark grey, and constrasts with the white gold hands and markers beautifully, really stunning in real life.

Oh I know! It's massive, I've tried it on twice and felt it was too big but will go back and try it on again and again and again. The issue is the Explorer II wears SO small, when I try other watches on it keeps me stuck in the Rolex loop. That Planet Ocean seems like the ultimate watch for me if and when I can adjust to it's size. I'm really craving a Chronograph for the next big one, not a bad feature to have there for so many reasons.

[Baco Noir]

Apr 9, 2014 14:01:38 GMT -6 daveathall said:

Both the Sea Dweller, (the old one) and BP 50 Fathoms would be on my list.

I fully agree and add the Seamaster to that list.

[vincent65]

Ridiculous list - not having a Rolex on it at all is absurd; like having a list of the best sports cars and omitting Porsche.
Submariner and Sea-Dweller, of course. And the Blancpain 50 Fathoms and Omega Seamaster. That list sucks!

[Pete]

I agree Karl, none of those would make my top 50.

Here's a quick list of modern divers I'd prefer. No particular order after the DSSD...

DSSD
Seiko Marine Master 300
Standard Seamaster
Panerai 1000 Submersible
Breitling heritage superocean
Sinn U1
Tudor heritage black bay

[Baco Noir]

Apr 9, 2014 23:38:38 GMT -6 Baco Noir said:

Apr 9, 2014 14:01:38 GMT -6 daveathall said:

Both the Sea Dweller, (the old one) and BP 50 Fathoms would be on my list.

I fully agree and add the Seamaster to that list.

Oh and add Seiko Monster as my value Dive Watch!